By Raul Castillo
05 Sep 2024, 18:28 PM EDT
FBI agents on Wednesday conducted a series of searches at the homes of senior officials in New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, city sources told NBC News. Those involved include First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III.
Spokespeople for the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York have declined to comment on the case, maintaining the confidentiality of the investigation.
However, Lisa Zornberg, a City Attorney, issued a statement clarifying the position of Mayor Adams’ team: “Investigators have not indicated to us that the Mayor or his staff are the subject of any investigation. As a former member of law enforcement, the Mayor has repeatedly made it clear that all members of the team must follow the law.”
In recent months, the FBI has conducted searches at the homes of several officials and advisers close to Adams as part of an investigation believed to focus on the mayor’s campaign’s possible involvement with the Turkish government.
This connection is suspected to have facilitated the receipt of illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources, using straw donors to channel the funds.
Despite these revelations, a source at City Hall told NBC News that the latest records do not appear to be related to this alleged plot linked to Turkey.
Mayor Eric Adams has not yet commented on the matter.
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